L E S S O N

22Career PathsCareer Paths

The Advantages of a Technically Oriented Career PathSome people follow career paths that require a college or university education. Lesson 3 will cover these kindsof careers and the education you would need to besuccessful in them. But what if you don’t think thatcollege is right for you, at least at this point in your life?You have many other options, as you’re about to learn.You can choose a technically oriented career path,or a career path focused on mastering technical skills that do not require a college or university education.

A technically oriented career path has at least threeimportant advantages:

• It provides a way to earn a good living without spending time and money pursuing a college education

• It gives you an opportunity to learn a trade that can benefit both you and society

• It can enable you to develop your knowledge of science and technology, which are so importantin today’s world.

Many people who follow a technically oriented career path achieve success. Those who do best have thought about their choice, defined their goals, and then worked hard to achieve them. You might be one of them.

Based on what you’ve read in previous lessons,which factors do you think a person should consider indeciding whether to choosea technically oriented careeror one that involves gettinga college degree first?

Quick Write

• the advantages of a technically orientedcareer path

• job classificationsassociated withtechnically orientedcareer paths

• earning potential of a technically orientedcareer path

• four ways to pursue a technically orientedcareer path

Learn About . . . B

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Job Classifications Associated with Technically Oriented Career PathsIf you decide to enter a technically oriented career, you’ll have many job classifications from which to choose.Table 2.3 lists some of the technically oriented career paths,or career fields, and it’s just the beginning. That’s becauseeach of the fields in Table 2.3 has dozens of possible careerswithin it. As an example, Table 2.4 shows a few of the typesof jobs you can pursue in just five of the career paths listedin Table 2.3.

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TABLE 2.3

Agriculture Auto Body RepairAutomotive Service TechnologyAviation and AerospaceBroadcast Media BusinessCarpentry and ConstructionChild Care and EducationComputer InformationCosmetologyCriminal and LegalCulinary ArtsElectrical OccupationsElectronicsEnergy and Power Engine TechnologyEngineering EntrepreneurEnvironmentFood ScienceGraphic Arts

Health Horticulture and Landscape DesignHospitality, Recreation, and TourismHeating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioner Repair Journalism MachiningManufacturingMasonryMilitary ServicePainting and RepairPerforming Arts Photography and FilmPlumbingPrinting Protection and InvestigationSecurity and Risk ManagementTelecommunicationsTransportationVisual ArtsWelding and Metal Arts

• technically orientedcareer path

• technical trainingprogram

• cooperative education• vocational school• internship• volunteer • reference• mentor• apprenticeship

VocabularyB

Examples of TechnicallyOriented Job Classifications

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To find more-detailed information about these career paths and jobs, or about job classifications in other fields,you can check the Occupational OutlookHandbook at www.bls.gov/oco or visit the following websites:

• Vocational Information Center at www.khake.com

• America’s Career Resource Network at www.acrnetwork.org/students.aspx

• Career Voyages at www.careervoyages.gov/.

TABLE 2.4

Examples of Jobs within Five DifferentTechnically Oriented Career Paths

Automotive Service Technology

• Alternative Fuels Vehicle Technician• Diesel Mechanic• Dispatcher• Truck Driver

Culinary Arts

• Baker• Butcher• Waiter or Waitress• Wedding Cake Designer

Health

• Dental Hygienist• Home Care Aide• Massage Therapist• Medical Laboratory Technician

Hospitality, Recreation,and Tourism

• Aerobics Instructor• Bus Driver• Hotel Detective• Public Relations Specialist

Telecommunications

• Frame Wirer• Line Installer or Repairer• Radio Mechanic• Telecommunications

Equipment Technician

A technically oriented career path can allow you to make a good living without going to college, as well as pursue a trade that can benefit both you and society.Courtesy of Don Mason/Corbis Images

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Earning Potential of a Technically Oriented Career PathIf you decide on a technically oriented career path, you probably won’t get rich, but you can earn a decent living. If you continue to gain new skills and advance in your work, your earnings can be even higher.

How much can you earn? Table 2.5 shows the earning potential for six technicallyoriented career paths. These figures are based on earnings from 2004 and 2005. They won’t be current by the time you enter the field, but they still provide goodestimates of relative earnings in these six areas. Also, these are salary ranges. Somepeople earn more than the highest figure, and others earn less. How much you’ll earndepends on many factors, such as where the job is, how much experience you have,and how hard you are willing to work.

You’ll notice that some of the earnings in Table 2.5 are yearly salaries and some are hourly wages. You can employ your math skills to compare them. For example, a typical workweek is 40 hours, and a year has 52 weeks. If you multiply the hourlyearnings of the highest-paid bus driver—$23.53—by 40 and then by 52, you’ll get$48,942. So you can see that a well-paid bus driver who works full time for a year will probably make more than the best-paid butcher will.

TABLE 2.5

Earnings Potential for Six Technically Oriented Career Paths

Position Earning

Butcher $15,800–$42,400/year

Bus Driver $8.66–$23.53/hour

Disc Jockey $6.14–$24.92/hour

Flight Attendant $23,450–$95,850/year

Pipe Fitter $23,800–$69,200/year

Small Engine Mechanic $15,300–$38,200/year

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Four Ways to Pursue a Technically Oriented Career PathIf you plan to follow a technically oriented career path, there are several types oftraining programs you can take advantage of—some while you are still in high school:

• technical training programs

• internship programs

• apprenticeship programs

• pre-apprenticeship programs.

Technical Training Programs

A technical training program is a learning experience that will give you the knowledge and skills you need to start a technically oriented career.

Technical training programs most commonly cover these career areas:

• agriculture (careers related to food and fiber production, and agricultural business)

• business (office administration and entrepreneurship)

• family and consumer sciences (culinary arts, family management, and life skills)

• health occupations (nurse, dental assistant, and medical technician)

• retail sales

• trade and industrial (skilled trades such as automotive technician, carpenter, and computer technician)

• technology (transportation, manufacturing, electronics, communications,aviation, computer graphics, and construction).

The Association for Career and Technical Education estimates that there are about 11 million technical-education students in the United States. These students areenrolled in a variety of programs. Some high schools offer technical-education andcooperative education (co-op) programs. In a “co-op” program you can work part-time in a career field you are interested in, while taking job-related courses at school. You receiveschool credit for both your work-related class work and your real-world work experience.Two-year community colleges also provide technical education.

Another option is a vocational school, a school that offers courses to prepare students for a technically oriented career. Most of these schools offer technical programs togetherwith work-based experiences such as internships or apprenticeships (see below).

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Most high school technical-education programs last at least two years. They areusually designed for high school juniors and seniors, although some programs accepthigh school sophomores and other programs begin in the ninth grade. Sometimeshigh school technical courses are linked to community college programs. In suchcases, students can earn college credit while they’re still in high school. Communityand technical college programs also generally last two years. These programs can be shorter for students who earn college credits while still in high school.

Many private organizations also offer technical training. Courses can last anywherefrom two weeks to several years. For example, one company in California trainsworkers for the construction industry. At locations around the state, it offers coursesfor carpenters, painters, plumbers, electricians, and other workers. These coursesinclude everything from job skills to safety rules. Another company, with locations in Arizona, Texas, California, and Illinois, gives courses for people aiming for careers in the automotive industry. Courses cover such topics as automotive and dieseltechnology. Before you enroll in a school run by a private company, check itsbackground with your state board of education.

Community colleges, vocational schools, and programs offered by private organizationsusually charge fees for trainees. To find out more about costs or other informationabout technical training programs, see your high school guidance counselor or go tothe website of the Association for Career and Technical Education at www.acteonline.org.If you have a specific career path in mind, such as construction or auto repair, you canalso contact a company or an industry association in your area to ask about where to get training.

Internship Programs

Once you’ve narrowed your decision about which technically oriented career to pursue after high school, think about an internship. An internship is a low-paying or volunteer job in a field that interests you.

For example, if you think you might want to be a plumber, contact a local plumbingcompany and see if you can arrange a part-time internship with the company while you’re in school. The company may pay you a small wage. Or you might be a volunteer, or unpaid worker. Although making money may seem important, a volunteer internship could be very beneficial in the long run.

Whether you’re a paid worker or volunteer, an internship gives you real-life experiencethat can help you decide whether a career is right for you. If you are in school whileyou are an intern, a teacher may supervise your experience, and you may be requiredto submit a paper after the internship is over.

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An internship can:

• give you work experience

• boost your self-esteem and makeyou more responsible

• give you references—a referenceis a person whom future employers can contact to ask about what kind of worker you are

• give you the chance to meet amentor, or a life coach who guides,advises, and advocates for you in your individual life path

• help you grow and learn your true interests and talents.

To see if you qualify for an internship,contact the company, organization, or government agency you’re interestedin. Many of these maintain websites where you can learn how to apply for an internship.

Apprenticeship Programs

An apprenticeship is an opportunity to learn a trade on the job while also learning in class.Apprenticeship programs vary in length from one to six years. Throughout that time,apprentices work and learn as employees.

Apprenticeships are available in the United States for more than 850 occupations.Construction and manufacturing apprenticeships are most common, butapprenticeships are available in many other fields as well, including computers.Possibilities include anything from telecommunications, environmental protection,and pastry making to health care, child care, and the arts. Table 2.6 lists the 25 apprenticeships that attracted the most workers in the United States in 2005,according to the US Department of Labor. Table 2.7 shows apprenticeship occupationswith the highest earnings in 2000. Table 2.8 shows apprenticeships that will have the most openings between 2000 and 2010.

Although most apprenticeships are in the civilian sector, the military also offersapprenticeships. People who enlist in certain occupations, such as cook or enginemechanic, can complete registered apprenticeships during their military training. That experience may have a civilian equivalent, which means that you can carry theskills and experience you’ve gained in the military into a successful career elsewhere.

A high school internship can give you the chance to meet a mentor.Courtesy of Peter Mason/Getty Images

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TABLE 2.6

The 25 Most Popular Apprenticeships in 2005

AverageTotal Active Number of Enrollment/

Rank Occupation Enrolled Active Programs Program

1 Electrician 38,706 3,280 11.8

2 Carpenter 22,434 481 46.6

3 Plumber 15,787 2,353 6.7

4 Pipe fitter (construction) 8,460 794 10.7

5 Sheet metal worker 7,629 582 13.1

6 Structural-steel worker 4,724 131 36.1

7 Elevator constructor 4,475 55 81.4

8 Roofer 4,397 140 31.4

9 Sprinkler fitter 4,271 85 50.2

10 Bricklayer (construction) 4,148 217 19.1

11 Construction craft laborer 4,136 71 58.3

12 Painter (construction) 3,937 245 16.1

13 Operating engineer 3,370 126 26.7

14 Child care development specialist 2,953 1,017 2.9

15 Boilermaker 2,556 31 82.5

16 Heating/air-conditioner installer 2,442 622 3.9

17 Power-line maintainer 2,418 268 9.0

18 Power-line installer and repairer 2,289 78 29.3

19 Correction officer 2,269 55 41.3

20 Millwright 2,261 438 5.2

21 Cook (hotel and restaurant) 1,837 404 4.5

22 Electrician (maintenance) 1,828 915 2.0

23 Machinist 1,739 1,346 1.3

24 Tool and die maker 1,733 1,486 1.2

25 Insulation worker 1,732 104 16.7

Taken from www.doleta.gov

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TABLE 2.7

Apprenticed Occupations with the Highest Earnings in 2000*

MedianAnnual Earnings

Occupation 2000

Power distributor and dispatcher $48,570

Electrical and electronics repairer, powerhouse,substation, and relay $48,540

Ship engineer $47,530

Elevator installer and repairer $47,380

Power plant operator $46,090

Electrical power-line installer and repairer $45,780

Petroleum pump system operator, refinery operator,and gauger $45,180

Gas plant operator $44,730

Telecommunications equipment installer and repairer,except line installer $44,030

Avionics technician $41,300

Tool and die maker $41,110

Aircraft structure, surfaces, rigging, and systems assembler $40,850

Chemical plant and system operator $40,750

Aircraft mechanic and service technician $40,550

Stationary engineer and boiler operator $40,420

*Includes apprenticeable occupations for which long-term on-the-job training or a postsecondary vocational award is the most common form of training,according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Taken from www.pueblo.gsa.gov

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TABLE 2.8

Apprenticed Occupations Expected to Have the Most Openings, 2000–2010*

Total Job Openingsfor Workers New to the Occupation

Occupation Projected 2000–2010

Cook, restaurant and cafeteria 502,435

Automotive service technician and mechanic 349,049

Licensed practical and licensed vocational nurse 321,841

Carpenter 301,791

Police and sheriff’s patrol officer 268,745

Electrician 251,152

Hairdresser, hairstylist, and cosmetologist 237,720

Maintenance and repair worker, general 221,172

Welder, cutter, solderer, and brazer 211,365

Plumber, pipe fitter, and steam fitter 134,007

Machinist 127,139

Bus and truck mechanic and diesel engine specialist 113,581

Emergency medical technician and paramedic 97,499

Firefighter 89,574

Computer-controlled machine tool operator, metal and plastic 89,390

Heating, air-conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer 79,485

Telecommunications line installer and repairer 76,170

Automotive body and related repairer 69,430

Cabinetmaker and bench carpenter 66,263

*Includes apprenticeable occupations for which long-term on-the-job training or a postsecondary vocational award is the most common form of training,according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Taken from www.pueblo.gsa.gov

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What Apprentices Do

Apprentices start by learning simple, repetitivetasks, then gradually progress to duties that are more complex. Electrician apprentices, for example, might begin by learning to cut and install wire. Eventually, they learn to plan projects; set up, wire, and test entireconstruction sites; and diagnose and fixelectrical problems.

In addition to learning by doing, apprenticestake classes to learn the basics in their field. The first class might teach the names and usesof the equipment a student will see on a jobsite. Later, students learn skills such as drafting,estimating costs, or reading blueprints.

A beginning apprentice generally earns aboutone-third to one-half of what an experienced,fully trained worker in that field earns. Forexample, the average electrician earns about$20.33 per hour. Depending on experience,apprentices usually start at around $6.09 to $10.16 per hour.

Finding an Apprenticeship Program

Apprenticeship programs are popular. Finding a program that has openings can be a challenge, especially in occupations that don’t employ large numbers of workers.

To locate an apprenticeship program, check several sources. For information on anytype of apprenticeship, visit career-counseling offices. Many apprenticeship sponsorspublicize openings at career centers and local high schools, and career counselorsusually know about the programs in their community. You can also find informationon apprenticeships in newspapers and on job boards.

You might also contact the Bureau of Apprenticeship or the office of the US Department of Labor in your state. These agencies keep lists of current programs. You might also want to consult the US Department of Labor’s apprenticeship website at http://www.doleta.gov/atels_bat/.

Trade unions and industry associations have information on apprenticeships, too.These organizations often recruit apprentices once or twice a year. You can getinformation about applying for such an apprenticeship from a local union office, the national union headquarters, or the national industry association headquarters.

If you are interested in an apprenticeship in the armed forces, contact your localrecruitment office or check out the military branch’s website. Each branch of the military has its own rules about apprenticeships.

Apprenticeship programs give you an opportunity to learn a trade on the job and in the classroom.Courtesy of Ken Chernus/Getty Images

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For general information on apprenticeships, check the Encyclopedia of Associations or the Occupational Outlook Handbook. Both are available at libraries and career centers. If you can’t find an apprenticeship program that fits you, consider studying at a community college or vocational school. Later, you might be able to transfercredits you’ve earned in one of these schools to an apprenticeship program.

Applying for an Apprenticeship Program

Once you find a good apprentice program, you have to apply for entrance. Request an application from the organization conducting the apprenticeship and follow the instructions.

Qualifications

Most apprenticeship programs require that applicants be at least 18 years old and havea high school diploma or a passing score on the high school equivalency exam. Someprograms require applicants to complete specific classes related to the occupation.

Interview

If you meet the basic qualifications, you may be invited for an interview. At that time,you’ll probably meet with the head of the organization sponsoring the apprenticeshipas well as a few other people.

During the interview, they will ask you about your work and school experience. They may ask why you want to be an apprentice. The interviewers will also probablyask questions that will reveal your personality traits. Interviewers want to hire peoplewho have determination and commitment to the occupation. Curiosity is alsoimportant. Interviewers might ask questions such as:

• Why do you think you would be good at this job?

• Have you ever worked as part of a team?

• Do you know what the work is like?

• What do you think you’ll be doing in five or 10 years?

• How dependable and resourceful are you? For example, how would you get to work if your car broke down?

Tour of the Work Site

Before deciding to join a program, you’ll want to see what life will be like on the job.Tour the worksite for clues about the quality of training and the work environment. Is the equipment modern? Is the work site comfortable and safe? Do workers seemwilling to demonstrate and teach skills? What would the work schedule be like? Howwould you get to the work site? If you don’t have a car, is public transportation available?

A tour is an excellent opportunity to ask employees about their jobs. By askingquestions, you can learn a lot about the occupation and the program sponsor.

Dress neatly and behave professionally when visiting potential employers. Each conversation you have during a tour of the work site is like an interview.

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The following organizations can provide more information on work-experience options for high school students.Some of them have local high school chapters you can join.

• National Mentoring Center at: www.nwrel.org/mentoring

• Job Shadowing at: www.jobshadow.org

• National Service-Learning Clearinghouse at:www.servicelearning.org/

• Junior Achievement at: www.ja.org

• Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) at:www.fbla-pbl.org/

• Future Farmers of America (FFA) at: www.ffa.org/

• Distributive Education Clubs of America (DECA) at:www.deca.org/

Pre-apprenticeship Programs

Many nonprofit organizations, schools, and government agencies help people qualify for apprenticeships by offering pre-apprenticeship programs. The goal of these programs is to help young people get jobs and stay employed. The programsfocus on specific groups, including high school students, disadvantaged youth,veterans, and women.

One of the fastest-growing of these initiativesis the school-to-apprenticeship program.School-to-apprenticeships allow high schoolstudents to begin their apprenticeships as juniors and seniors. These students takeoccupational classes in addition to their regular high school courses. They concentrate on math, science, or other classes important to the occupation they are considering.

Students in school-to-apprenticeship programs work part-time, often earning schoolcredit for on-the-job training. After graduation, they become full-time apprentices,with the advantage of having already completed many of the requirements.

To learn more about school-to-apprenticeship programs, ask your high schoolguidance counselor or call your school district office.

In a pre-apprenticeship program, students take occupational classes in addition to their regular high school courses.Courtesy of Spencer Grant/PhotoEdit

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Lesson 2 ReviewUsing complete sentences, answer the following questions on a sheet of paper.

1. What are three main advantages of a technically oriented career path?

2. What are three fields in which you can have a technically oriented career?

3. Which two federal government departments are good sources of information about technically oriented careers?

4. What is the earning potential for some technically oriented careers?

5. What are the three types of programs that can prepare you for a technically oriented career? How are they similar and different?

6. Pick a technically oriented career path that you are interested in. Then find out what you could earn at the beginning of yourcareer and what you might earn when you reach the top of yourprofession.You might need to do some research on the Web to find the answers.

Applying Career Skills

7. Choose a technically oriented career that is available in yourcommunity. Collect as much information as you can about it:What are the advantages of a job in this field? What organizations in your area offer jobs in this field? What are some of those jobs,and what do people who hold them do? What might you earn in such a job, both as a beginner and an experienced worker? How would you train for such a job? When you finish your research,you’ll have a good idea of what following a technically orientedcareer path means.

CHECKPOINTS

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